What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when selecting the right car seat for their child carseats for infants and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are only designed for rear-facing use, which means they have a shorter lifespan.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to make a travel system. Parents can take their baby from the car to a stroller easily without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the safety of an infant carrier seat, especially when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was created to safeguard your baby as safely as it is possible in the event of a collision. They are typically placed rear-facing, making them the best option for infants that are at greatest risk of injury in a car accident.
These seats also feature extra padding to offer head protection, as well as lower anchors to secure the seat to the chassis in case in the event of an accident. This is particularly crucial for infants who have large necks and heads that are easily injured in the sudden stopping or collision. In addition, most infant carriers are designed to work with strollers to create a travel system that is easily transferred from your car to the stroller and back again without causing any disturbance to your child.
Furthermore, the majority of infant car seats have bases that can be fitted in other vehicles to allow you to take your child along with you no matter where you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services frequently. It can also make travelling with a baby on planes a lot easier.
Some infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that don't have a base. This allows you to keep your child safe on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is an excellent option for grandparents who want to assist you with transporting your child.
car seat inserts for newborns is also important to remember that an infant carrier seat is not meant to be left unattended outside of the vehicle, since infants could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, leading to injuries and possibly death. It is essential to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to be part of a travel system, comprising a car frame and seat base that snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies since they allow parents to move their child from the car to the stroller and vice versa without needing to wake them up. This feature alone makes it an important reason why more than 90% of Babylist parents register for an infant seat!
Many infant car seats are compatible with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and put them on the frame of a stroller to walk around a park or grocery store. This is a fantastic feature to look for when you are planning to use a taxi or ride-sharing service. Most of these services require children to be secured in a seat.
Car seats for infants are typically smaller and lighter than convertible car seats. They are a great option for families who prefer to be active. Some infant car seats also come with a handle so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is especially helpful when you have a trip scheduled that you don't want to wake your sleeping baby up for!
While infant car seats only last until your baby becomes a toddler and they outgrow the height and weight limits, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat, and later changed to a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great choice when you are looking to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as is possible. You can find a convertible car seat that converts into a high-back booster seat when your child outgrows its harness (or reaches the limit on weight and height). Make sure to look for this when browsing the options!
Simple to Use
An infant carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat that can be connected to a base in your vehicle. They are designed to keep infants and infants safe until they meet the weight and height requirements for a booster seat. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers, which can allow you to easily transfer the baby from the car to the stroller to continue your journey without disrupting their nap schedule.
Find an infant seat that is an attachable carrier that you can attach to the base of a stroller or car. This will make it much easier to get your baby into and out of the car particularly when their nap is about to end or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. It's also important to look over the shoulder strap slots and make sure they're properly placed for your child's size. If the straps aren't high enough or too low, they're not safe. high, they can't be utilized correctly and could cause injury in the event of a crash.
Some infant car seats come with lower anchors which can be used with or without the base. This is perfect for taxi rides or when traveling via plane. Make sure that the lower anchors are easy to install, have a European routing and are easy to release. We also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is securely secured. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment mechanism, such as Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next step up from an infant carrier and can be used until your child is their height or weight requirement for a booster seat. They can be used combination with a stroller but they don't provide the infant-like fit or convenience of an infant carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted to boosters. However they're generally larger and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in congested areas.
Installation
Car seats, especially infant car seats, are complicated to install. It is vital to install car seats in a safe and secure manner. Some factors that can impact this include the position of the seat, the angle of the base and the best way to use the handle.
Most infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, which is often called a travel system. They are designed to be used in the rear-facing position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing seats. Most car seats have a built-in angle indicator that can be used to verify that the seat is placed at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base might have an angle adjustor.
It is also important to determine if the seat allows you to adjust the shoulders' height without needing to remove and repeat the process. This is a great time-saver, as you will need to do it multiple times throughout the infant's car seat usage.
Lastly, some cars have hard points on the back of the seat specifically designed to hold infant car seats. These are usually tucked into the crease between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. These hooks should snap into place with ease since they are made specifically for the specific seat. They could also make a distinct sound when they are connected securely.
It is an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure it will work well for your family. If the car seat does not connect to the base or your child isn't at ease, it's time to look for a different alternative.
Certain car seats can be put in without the base, which is beneficial if you take public transportation or use taxi services like Uber. Follow the manufacturer's directions on how to remove and install the vehicle without the base, but the majority will allow you to do it by pressing a button or lever. Many will provide the clear "click" when it is secure enough.